Car-coupling



(No Model 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. W. GERLAGH. GAR COUPLING.-

No. 552,118. Patented 1360.31,.1895.

J72 2/672 5021' flmi C e 'zack/ (No Model.)' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. 'P. W.GERLAOH. GAR COUPLING.

No. 552,118. Patented Dec, 31,1895.

Zirzeasa; I [raven/Z02" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. GERLACH, OF KENTON, OHIO.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,118, dated December31, 1895.

' Application filed September 6,1895. Serial No. 561,611. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK W. GERLAOH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kenton, in the county of Hardin and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplers; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to car-couplers.

The object of the invention is to provide a car-coupling which shall besimple and strong of construction and comparatively inexpensive ofproduction.

WVith this object in view the invention consists of certain features ofconstruction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of my improvedcar-coupling. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3is a crosssectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of the tongue.Fig. 5 is a similar view of the link.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the draw-head, and 2 the draw-bar, providedwith the usual buifenspring 3. The draw-head is provided with atransverse opening 4 to form jaws 5, the lower one of which is providedwith a central slot 6 and with an inclined throat 7 ,bounded bymarginalflanges 8. At the rear of the lower jaw, on its under side, is securedor cast a stop-block 10, while the sides of the head are provided withhorizontally-extending recesses 11, one of which is intersected by anupwardly-curved recess 12.

13 denotes the coupling-tongue, having its rear end located in thecentral slot 6 and pivoted therein by the bolt 14. The free end of thistongue projects upwardly to form a hook 15. On the under side of thetongue, near its rear end, is a block 16, adapted to contact with theblock 10 when the tongue is swung down. A spring-plate 17 has its rearend secured to the block 10 and its forward end slot-. ted, and isadapted to fit in an inclined recess 18, formed in the lower side of theblock 16. A pin 18 projects downward from the block 16 and through theaperture or slot at the outer end of the spring-plate.

19 denotes a U-shape link, and 20 the linklifting lever. The rear endsof the link are seated in the horizontal recesses in the side of thedraw-head and the lever is seated in the upwardly-curved recess. Thelink and the lever are suitably secured together, and a pivot-bolt 21passes transversely through them and the draw-head. The free end of thelever may be attached to a chain, an operating-lever, or any otherdevice or contrivance by means of which the link may be actuated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a car coupler, the combination with the draw-head having a centralslot and an intersected transverse opening, of a coupling tongue pivotedin saidslot, a spring plate for exerting an upward pressure upon thetongue, a link pivoted to said draw-head and means for lifting saidlink, substantially as set forth.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination with a draw-head having atransverse opening and a central slot, and a block secured to the underside of said draw-head, a tongue pivoted in said slot and provided witha block to engage the first named block, a spring plate having one endfixed to one of the blocks and provided at its opposite end with anelongated aperture to be engaged by a pin projecting downward from theother block, a U -shaped link pivoted to the side of the draw-head, anda lever secured to said link, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK W. GERLACH.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. RUMMELL, LOUIS LUCKHOFF.

